Wanda Frances Zuehlke

Wanda Frances Oliver Zuehlke, age 89, of Washington, Iowa, died Saturday, February 08, 2014 at All American Care Center in Washington, Iowa after a prolonged illness. Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the Victory Fellowship Church in Brighton, Iowa with Pastor Larry Black officiating. Visitation will begin noon Monday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday. Private family interment will take place at the Brethren Cemetery in Libertyville, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Victory Fellowship Church or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Wanda was born November 7, 1924 the daughter of Francis Abe and Florence Vera (Rogers) Oliver. Wanda taught at multiple one room schoolhouses and was a graduated of Parsons Teachers College in Fairfield, Iowa in 1959. She was united in marriage to Lawrence Edward Zuehlke on June 12, 1955 at the First Lutheran Church of Fairfield. After her marriage, they moved to Muldraugh, KY where she taught school for one year. After Lawrence’s discharge from the Army in 1956, they taught at Wyman, Iowa for one year then moved to Washington, Iowa in June of 1957, where Wanda taught at Lincoln Elementary School as a fifth grade teacher. She taught until 1967 after the adoption of their children, Gloria June Zuehlke, Francis Edward Zuehlke and Andrew David Zuehlke. Wanda then worked as a nurse’s aide and at the Washington County Home. She was a teacher’s aide with Washington Community Schools through 1985 at which time she went to work for ResCare/Optimae until her retirement in 2008. Following her retirement she volunteered with Washington County Hospice for several years. Wanda grew up in the Church of the Brethren near Libertyville and Batavia, Iowa. After their marriage, the couple were members of the United Presbyterian Church in Washington, Iowa for over 20 years. Wanda and Lawrence assisted in forming Victory Fellowship Church in Brighton, Iowa after encouragement from their son Andrew. She continued to remain an active member of Victory Fellowship Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher, a church board member and ran a “ministry of helping others” throughout her life. Wanda was a long-time member of civic organizations, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Daughters of American Colonists (DAC) where she was past president of the Iowa Chapter of DAC. Her application is pending for the first families of Church of Brethren, of which she is a direct descendant of church founder, Alexander Mack. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lawrence Edward Zuehlke of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Gloria June Reed and husband Robert of Washington, Iowa; son Francis Edward Zuehlke and wife Stephanie of Des Moines, Iowa; son, Andrew David Zuehlke and wife Holli of Washington, Iowa; three grandsons, Christopher Reed, Isaiah Zuehlke and Benjamin Zuehlke all of Washington, Iowa; and two great-granddaughters, Elliana Rose Reed and Victoria Louise Reed of Bay City, Michigan. She is also survived by brother, Ladd Oliver and wife Deborah of Washington, Iowa; brother, Gordon Oliver and wife Betty of Douds, Iowa; brother, Brace Oliver of Libertyville, Iowa; sister, Vivian Sherred and husband, Lyall of Denver, Colorado; sister, Violet Oliver of Lansing, Michigan and sister Miriam Headley and husband David of Hutchinson, Kansas. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister-in-law, Rose Oliver.

Wanda Frances Zuehlke

November 7, 1924 - February 8, 2014